- Decision
- dismissed, 26 August 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: K Williams
- Authority
- Brent (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6008885
- Application reference
- 25/3240
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Retention of second-floor rear walk-out balcony, alterations to rooflights and rear door (retrospective)
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- s38(6), Brent LP DMP1
- Development plan policies
- Brent Local Plan 2019-2041 DMP1, Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD 2025
- Main issues
- character and appearance; privacy
Summary
A retrospective second-floor walk-out balcony on a suburban semi was dismissed. It harmed the character of the house and caused actual and perceived overlooking of neighbouring gardens. The benefits were limited and private. The 2026 Framework is acknowledged, but the letter cites no Framework policy.
What made the difference
The change from an approved Juliet balcony to a platform people can stand on and move around. Perceived surveillance counted as harm even over long separation distances (DL ¶14-18).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMP1 (Brent LP) | conflict | significant | wide projecting balcony visually cluttered and incongruous; removal of eaves; elevated overlooking and perceived surveillance of Nos 36 and Randall Avenue gardens (DL 7-19, 27) |
Key facts
- 2021 permission for Juliet balconies only; walk-out balcony materially different (DL 7)
- Enforcement notice already served (DL 4)
- Screening conditions rejected as unassessed and potentially intrusive (DL 21-22)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.